HELLO THERE: Meet the UFC's new champ

What he does: New light-heavyweight champ of the Ultimate Fighting Championship after KO'ing Chuck Liddell on Saturday in Las Vegas.

What he won: In addition to the crown, Jackson earned $450,000 for the victory.

His geography: Jackson is an Irvine, Calif., resident who was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn.

Curious training: An imposing physical specimen who doesn't bother with lifting weights, Jackson has conquered personal demons outside the ring during his career and found his faith. He says he now has the discipline, desire and training regimen to succeed, noting that early in his career he fought on junk food and sparred with amateurs.

Upset special: Liddell had an aura of invincibility during a string of victories, while Jackson had mixed results in recent years. Jackson made his way to the Octagon on Saturday wearing his trademark junkyard chain around his neck, stopping to howl like a werewolf. The crowd, firmly behind Liddell, booed Jackson when he finally stepped into the cage after the long entrance.

Payback? Liddell had one blemish on his record that was not avenged — a November 2003 loss to Jackson. But Jackson ruined Liddell's plans and scored a devastating first-round KO over Liddell, stunning the sellout crowd, which was completely behind the UFC poster boy and probably hadn't seen many of Jackson's fights that took place in Japan.

Prediction for upstarts: "It's going to be like this for a long time," — Jackson, after his victory.